WWE NXT Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights from July 4

WWE NXT celebrated the Fourth of July holiday with a big show including a career-changing tag team contest and the return of an old match-type in a new form.

The Creed Brothers and The Dyad would compete in a bout where the losers would leave NXT. Ava promised that Joe Gacy had a plan to help Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid while Julius and Brutus Creed walked in very confident.

Eddy Thorpe faced the toughest challenge of his NXT run, fighting Damon Kemp in an NXT Underground match. He did have Gable Steveson in his corner, though.

Mustafa Ali went head-to-head with Tyler Bate, knowing that the winner would likely earn the next opportunity to challenge Wes Lee for the NXT North American Championship next.

Roxanne Perez hoped to get some revenge against the dangerous Blair Davenport, and Lyra Valkyria hoped to shut up Jacy Jayne one-on-one.

Bron Breakker also promised to make a statement as he continued to demand Shawn Michaels gives him what he wants.

Who would walk out with a big win? What implications would this show have for the Great American Bash on July 30?

Roxanne Perez vs. Blair Davenport

Roxanne Perez fought Blair Davenport with all that she had, but she seemed to still be weakened by recent attacks from her new rival.

Ultimately, Davenport took her down with a pair of V-Triggers.

This was not the most exciting contest, but it did set a tone in this rivalry. The two hit hard throughout. The Prodigy sold how much this meant to her while seemingly outmatched in a pure brawl with her opponent.

It was a longer match but still felt one-sided. Davenport picked her opponent apart, and Perez will clearly need to step up her game to truly contest her rival in a future match.

Davenport got a huge boost here. She defeated a former NXT women's champion and a star considered to be one of the best in the business. She instantly rises to title contention.

Result

Davenport def. Perez by pinfall.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments

• Perez attacked Davenport during her entrance, causing both to fight through smoke to get to the ring.
• Davenport sent The Prodigy into the steel steps for a near count-out and then hit a Falcon Arrow to almost take the pin.
  

Mustafa Ali vs. Tyler Bate

Mustafa Ali and Tyler Bate fought hard throughout this match.

The former finally got his opening when he tripped the latter off the top rope and hit a 450 splash to win.

Afterward, Ali finally declared he wanted a shot at Wes Lee at the Great American Bash.

Unsurprisingly, this was a very good match, and that was with both men holding back. The action was big but still did not reach that peak level both men are capable of. It seems likely a rematch will come on a bigger stage.

In particular, it will be after Ali has reveals his true colors as he continues to tease a heel persona. He is playing fair but still taking opportunities to get ahead. He is now positioned to dethrone Lee in a show-stealer.

Result

Ali def. Bate by pinfall.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

• Ali leapt right into Bop and Bang. He went for a Tyler Driver '97 but turned it around into an STF.
  
• Bate pulled up Ali into an airplane spin. Ali reversed into a DDT for a near-fall.
  
• Tiffany Stratton interrupted Ivy Nile during an interview. Nile warned Stratton that she would make her tap out if they fought.
  
• In a vignette taped in his own home, Baron Corbin talked about his mission to change the image of himself in NXT.

Kelani Jordan (w/ Dana Brooke) vs. Tatum Paxley

Tatum Paxley gave Kelani Jordan a tough fight, but the former Michigan State gymnast pulled out a debut singles victory with a surprise Stundog Millionaire.

Afterward, Cora Jade warned Jordan that she chose the wrong friend in Dana Brooke, but she backed off when Jordan challenged her to a match.

The hierarchy in the women's division continues to evolve, and it looks like Jordan will quickly rise up the ranks with the backing of Brooke.

She did not get much time to show what she could do in a two-minute squash where Paxley got the majority of the offense. It was a contest that barely highlighted the winner.

She did bite back at Jade on the microphone, which could be a sign that she can compete with top names in the division in and out of the ring.

Result

Jordan def. Paxley by pinfall.

Grade

D+

Notable Moments

• Andre Chase recognized Duke Hudson and Thea Hail's great work in Chase U. They turned their attention to taking down Drew Gulak and Charlie Dempsey.
• Carmelo Hayes and Trick Williams challenged The Judgment Day to meet them in NXT next week. Finn Bálor accepted before the end of the night.
  
• Lucien Price and Bronco Nima announced their debut as a tag team for next week.
  

NXT Underground: Eddy Thorpe vs. Damon Kemp

Damon Kemp dominated this match, using his amateur wrestling background. However, after Eddy Thorpe injured the right arm of Kemp, he found an opening.

Thorpe locked in a triangle choke and battered his rival with elbows strikes until the referee called for the bell.

This was much better than it had any right to be. NXT continues to innovate on concepts WWE previously failed to implement. This had serious heat, and every second mattered.

While it's a shame Kemp had to take every loss in this feud, he continues to deliver while elevating NXT's brightest.

Gable Steveson was at ringside, rooting for Thorpe throughout.

It's awkward that NXT won't admit that Steveson and Kemp are brothers, but hopefully this is a sign that the Olympic gold medalist is finally coming along in the ring.

Result

Thorpe def. Kemp by technical knockout.

Grade

B+

Notable Moments

• Before this match, the ropes were removed and the lights were lowered. The Performance Center talent filed out to surround the ring.
• Kemp quickly took over the action early, grappling Thorpe to the mat.
• When the two battled outside, Kemp used one of the women at ringside to distract Thorpe. Steveson got right into the face of Kemp.
• Someone got in Steveson's face and took an exploder suplex. More people tried to take shots, and he kept suplexing them.
• NXT used obvious dubbed-in lines from Vic Joseph during this match.
  

Lyra Valkyria vs. Jacy Jayne

Jacy Jayne tried to ground Lyra Valkyria throughout this match, but she could not contain her forever.

The Valkyrie sealed the win with a roundhouse kick.

Afterward, Jayne attacked her rival from behind and destroyed her black wings.

Much like the opener, this was a bout that never got out of first gear, but it lacked the same heat. Jayne dominated too much to let Valkyria pick up the pace.

This was just flat, relying too much on Jayne to carry the action. Maybe the two will do better now that Jayne has made things more personal, but The Valkyrie needs to be the leader in the rematch.

Result

Valkyria def. Jayne by pinfall.

Grade

C-

Notable Moments

• The crowd's early dueling chant was "Gigi's better." and "No, she's not.".
  
• Channing "Stacks" Lorenzo and Joe Coffey visited Tony D'Angelo in prison to give him the news that they had agreed to a match. If The Underboss wins, The Don goes free and The Family gets a title shot. If Coffey wins, Tony D has to face trial.
• Noam Dar talked sadly to a picture of the Heritage Cup until Meta-Four pulled him away to refocus on the future.
• Gigi Dolin vandalized the office of Jayne, leaving a note that she could "never escape her past".
• Von Wagner was supposed to have a match with Javier Bernal, but Big Body Javy talked too much. Wagner decided to powerbomb him through the announce table.
  

Loser Leaves NXT: The Creed Brothers (w/ Ivy Nile) vs. The Dyad (w/ Ava and Joe Gacy)

Even after Joe Gacy was thrown out, Rip Fowler and Jagger Reid looked dominant, constantly answering the offense of Julius and Brutus Creed.

After Brutus got taken out, Julius went all-out to fight for the win.

Ivy Nile took out Ava, but someone in a metal mask headbutted Julius. This set up Ticket to Mayhem to seal the victory for The Dyad and end the NXT careers of The Creeds.

These teams have always had chemistry, and this was as good as they have ever looked together. The match ramped up to a fever pitch where it felt possible Julius could win it all on his own.

However, it was not to be. Schism apparently has a fifth root that will be revealed soon. Hopefully, this is the missing piece that will make the group better.

It was surprising to see the Creed brothers leave NXT after not getting drafted. While Julius and Brutus can add a lot to Raw or SmackDown, they are heading to the main roster off a loss rather than receiving a statement of their value through a draft pick.

They will also be going without Nile, who was important to their presentation. Diamond Mine, as a unit, has fallen apart over the years, but these three grew together and can thrive together. Hopefully, they will be reunited.

Result

The Dyad def. The Creed Brothers by pinfall, ending the NXT careers of Julius and Brutus.

Grade

A

Notable Moments

• In a backstage interview, Gacy promised to eliminate a problem from NXT forever.
• The fight started early as The Dyad attacked The Creed Brothers before the bell.
  
• At the bell, Julius hit a shooting star press. Gacy had to save Reid from the three-count and got thrown out by the referee.
• Fowler lifted Brutus on his shoulders for a suicide dive from Reid, leaving Julius alone. This only seemed to motivate him as he took out both at once. Ava tried to make the save but got blasted by Nile.
• The Creed Brothers walked out dejected to a crowd chant of "Thank you, Creeds!".
  

Ilja Dragunov Promises to Eliminate Bron Breakker from NXT

Bron Breakker wanted to focus on his future beyond NXT, but Ilja Dragunov interrupted to face down his rival. A brawl broke out, and officials could not separate them. The locker room had to get involved.

Neither Breakker nor Dragunov cut memorable promos, but this was solely about getting to the fight at the end.

NXT knows Breakker vs. Dragunov is money. This feud has not needed much to feel big and is likely to culminate at the Great American Bash before Breakker moves to the main roster.

It might have made more sense to end with a match, but NXT needs to do more to build the next premium live event. This is the second piece of the puzzle after Mustafa Ali vs. Wes Lee.

Grade

B-

Notable Moments

• Breakker highlighted that he almost beat Seth Rollins with a Spear after only 78 matches in his career. He also reminded fans that he beat LA Knight on his debut.
• Dragunov said he wanted the NXT Championship, and Breakker was the only man in his way. He promised to eliminate the big man.
  

Overall Show

NXT booked two exemplary weeks of television for the program with Gold Rush, and the follow-up was always going to disappoint in comparison.

This was back to the usual NXT fare. Backstage segments and vignettes dominated the pacing of the night, and several matches were shorter than they should have been.

However, The Creed Brothers vs. The Dyad, Eddy Thorpe vs. Damon Kemp, and Mustafa Ali vs. Tyler Bate all delivered on the promise of their build.

The build to the Great American Bash is starting strong. Ali vs. Wes Lee plus Bron Breakker vs. Ilja Draunov might as well be set. Carmelo Hayes vs. Finn Bálor is looking likely, too.

It will be up to the coming weeks to set up big matches for the women's and tag team divisions. The arrest of Tony D'Angelo has gone on far longer than it should have.

The new-look women's division is still forming around Tiffany Stratton. Roxanne Perez vs. Blair Davenport and Lyra Valkyria vs. Jacy Jayne should have been better. Gigi Dolin vs. Kiana James is not exciting TV, but Thea Hail and Ivy Nile may be poised to rise.

NXT has a solid foundation, even as more stars leave for Raw or SmackDown. It is up to those remaining to raise their game.

Overall Grade: C+